Having the Workout Mindset for a Better You

“I can’t do it”. “I’m too tired”. “It’s too hard”. “I’ll never be able to finish this”. “I’d rather do something else”. “It’s too hot”. “I’ll never lose this weight”. “I’ll never have that ‘perfect’ body”. Do you recognize those quotes? I’m sure you have said those any many others to yourself before, right? I’ve done it, we’ve all done it. It’s all about mindset and we need to have the right mindset if we want to accomplish our goals. How are you going to be able to lose that weight or get that body you want if you don’t think you can do it? That’s right, you won’t be able to. It will never happen.

So, what are you going to do to get yourself in the right mindset? We all seem to find excuses not to workout. It’s easy isn’t it? You get home from work late, you are tired, you have chores, the kids need help with homework or soccer practice, you have to make dinner for the family…there is always something going on and working out comes at the bottom of the list right? It shouldn’t. Take those excuses and throw them out the window. You can find 30 minutes in the day for you, for your health, for your mental well-being. I know you can. It will not only help you but it will help your family, your friends, and those people who have to be around you all the time. Working out will help improve your mood, your focus, increase your energy and in general will make you feel better. The people around you will be happier just as much as you will.

You have to realize that getting and staying in the right mindset sometimes means you can’t do it alone. You might have to have a support system or a supportive partner that is there with you along the way. That is important to me and has helped me a lot along the way. You may have a partner who works out with you and if so, that is great. You may have a partner who could support you in other ways like making dinner, helping with the kids or cleaning the house so you can have some free time to workout and do what is important to you. That is a different kind of support but important nonetheless. Lastly, we have support systems out there from online communities like Facebook or Beachbody, people doing the same thing you are. Reach out to those like minded individuals who are enjoying the same thing you are.

What motivates you to workout? Do you have a particular goal you want to reach? Do you want to lose that last 10lbs? Do you want to fit into that pair of size 6 jeans that you haven’t worn since high school? Do you want to get that six pack or just get big and buff? What about marathon, are you training for that? There are so many reasons people start and continue working out, what motivates you? Once you figure that out maybe you need to write it down, register for that marathon, look at those jeans daily, or grab an old photo of yourself and put it on the fridge. You need to look at your goals regularly and you’ll want to reach them.

One thing that I believe is important is that you like the workout that you are doing. If you don’t enjoy your workouts you are not going to stick with them. When I first started on my mission to lose weight back when I was 220lbs I really like cycling so I started riding my bike. It was fun for me so I did it everyday. Not only did I enjoy it but it was a great workout for someone who was in not so great shape. Some of you may love lifting weights so P90X is a great workout and others may love intense cardio and sweating so INSANITY is a great workout. Then there are others that like dance workouts so TurboFire or TurboJam is a great workout. There is something for everyone but you must enjoy it.

Think about what you are fueling your body with. If you are eating fast food all day and things that weigh you down you are going to feel sluggish, have no energy and will not be in the mood to workout or do anything productive all day. You need to make sure you eat foods that give you energy and fuel you properly. Do not skip breakfast, do not eat a couple large meals a day but instead make sure to eat healthy small meals every three hours that provide all the nutrients you need to get through the day feeling great! Your body will thank you and you will thank your body. It is amazing how different you will feel when you eat well and fuel your body properly.

So are you ready? Are you motivated? Are you ready to reach your goals? It’s time for no excuses anymore, get in that right mindset and create a better you.